Petker, Susie (1895-1959)

SMennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Nov 5 p. 8

Birth date: 1895 Mar 4

text of obituary:

MISS SUSIE PETKER

Our loving sister, Susie Petker, the daughter of Gerhart and Katherine Petker, was born on March 4, 1895, in Henderson, Neb. Here she spent the first years of her life and attended grade school in this vicinity. It was also at Henderson that she recognized her lost condition as she listened to the Word of God presented by Evangelist George Schultz. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and later upon her testimony she was baptized and united with the Mennonite Brethren Church for fellowship.

At the age of about 13, she lost her father through death. The following years she was to spend with her widowed mother, taking care of her until her mother passed away in 1941. In 1942, she left Henderson to come to California and made her home in San Jose. Here she united with the Mennonite Brethren church for fellowship. In 1955, she transfered [sic] her home to Reedley.

Our sister had many struggles in life and faced many problems. She never was too strong physically and this caused her a great deal of concern. However, she trusted in the Lord and lived a life of prayer to the very last. About a year ago she became rather ill, and we felt it was not good that she should live alone. Somewhat later she was taken to the Reedley hospital where she spent a number of weeks, and then was transferred to the Wiebe rest home in Dinuba. Here she received excellent care but about a week ago she was brought back to the hospital in Reedley. Here in the hospital she assured her pastor and loved ones that she was ready to meet her lord. Tuesday evening, Oct. 13, 1959, at about 8:00, her spirit left the body and she went home to be with the Lord. She reached the age of 64 years, seven months and nine days.

Besides her parents, five brothers —Jake, Frank, Abe, Dan, and George — preceded her in death.

Those remaining to mourn at her departure are three brothers, Henry Petker of Reedley, John Petker of Concord, Calif., and Herman Petker of Council Bluff, Iowa; and four sisters, Katie, Mrs. Nick Huebert of Dinuba, Calif., Lena, Mrs. Penner of Aurora, Neb., Anna, Mrs. Abe Buller of Henderson, Neb., and Marie, Mrs. Jake Kroeker of Hastings, Neb.

Besides these there are other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held Saturday, Oct 17, at the Cairns Funeral Home in Reedley, with Rev. Dan Friesen, officiating.

— The Brothers and Sisters.